What is Rigid Body Dynamics?

Rigid body dynamics is a branch of physics that studies the movement of rigid bodies. In three-dimensional space, a rigid body is an object that doesn’t change its shape or size when forces are applied to it. This means that all points on the rigid body move in the same way and at the same speed.

Rigid body dynamics is important for understanding how objects move in the real world. It’s also essential for creating realistic 3D visualizations. By understanding the principles of rigid body dynamics, 3D artists can create virtual objects that look and behave like their real-world counterparts.

When creating a 3D visualization, there are two main types of rigid body dynamics that need to be considered: linear and angular.

• Linear dynamics is concerned with the movement of rigid bodies in a straight line. This includes things like an object falling under the force of gravity or being pushed along by a force.
• Angular dynamics is concerned with the rotation of rigid bodies around a point. This includes things like a wheel spinning on its axis or an object swinging from a rope.